Projects
At UM we strongly believe that working together makes us stronger. When we join forces, we learn from each other and come to a more multifaceted solution. Solutions that benefit the world around us. Sustainable UM2030 has worked on several projects. Below you will find some examples.
Measuring UM’s Impact: Emission Accounting and Material Flow Analysis
The UM Sustainability Roadmap 2030 outlines the ambitious goals we aim to achieve. But to chart a path toward these goals, we first need to understand where we currently stand.
That’s why one of the first priorities of the Sustainability Office is to collect and analyse data on UM’s current sustainability performance.
Community Garden
The UM Community Garden has become a thriving green space on campus, now managed by a collective of over 60 active student members. More than just a place to grow vegetables and herbs, the garden serves as a learning environment where students exchange knowledge about self-sufficiency, permaculture, and biodiversity. Workshops, harvest days and seasonal events bring students together around themes of food, health and sustainability. The garden also promotes mental wellbeing, by offering students a peaceful and hands-on escape from academic life. It’s a living example of sustainability in action, rooted in community.
Swap Room
Located in the Sustainability Hub, the Swap Room offers students a place to exchange clothing and accessories—completely free of charge. With more than 1,000 clothing items swapped so far, the room brings the principles of circularity to life in a fun and accessible way. It encourages conscious consumption and helps reduce textile waste, one of the most polluting industries globally. The Swap Room is run by student volunteers and regularly hosts themed events and has become a vibrant part of UM’s campus sustainability culture.
Bike Repair Shop
UM’s student-led bike repair shop supports sustainable mobility by keeping bikes on the road and out of the waste stream. Over 100 bikes have already been repaired, often for free or at very low cost. Students learn hands-on repair skills, promoting a DIY ethos and increasing access to sustainable transport. The initiative contributes to a cycling-friendly campus and reduces reliance on car or public transport. It also fosters community-building and student empowerment through skill-sharing and peer support. The shop is integrated into the wider goals of promoting low-carbon living at UM.
Sustainable Events Initiative
UM is working to make all university events more sustainable by developing clear guidelines and support for event organisers. This includes criteria for catering, waste management, travel, materials and inclusivity. The goal is to ensure that sustainability is considered from the earliest planning stages, without compromising the quality or accessibility of events. By embedding sustainability into events, UM not only will reduce its footprint but also raises visibility and awareness in a highly practical way. We want to focus on big events first and therefore, we will first inventory the number of events with more than 100 participants taking place at the UM. This inventory should be completed by the end of 2025, after which we can determine guidelines and measures to make those events more sustainable.
Library of Things
Reducing excess and keeping resources in circulation is key to circularity, that is why we created the Library of Things. Located in the sustainability hub, this space is filled with a wide variety of items that can be borrowed and returned, just like books in a library. The shelves are stocked with everything from chairs to tennis rackets to a keyboard. By making these resources available to students and student organisations, the Library of Things, helps reduce unnecessary purchases and fosters a community of sharing.
